Korean Job Discussion Forums

[highlander_76]

I have heard this topic alluded to in several threads, but when I did a search I was not able to find anything substantial. What does anyone out there know about adopting a child in Korea? I am American and my wife is a Korean citizen. What is involved? If you've looked into the process and know the technicalities of it and/or can point me to a thread where it was discussed, I'd really appreciate it.

Please do not take this as your opportunity to complain about Koreans' crappy attitude towards adoption; please start a different thread for that purpose if you feel so inclined.

[nudefotographer]

I don't know much about this, but my understanding is that many children living in Buddhist temples are orphans or abandoned. The monks raise the children until they can be given permanent homes.

I don't know if they fall under the list of children able to be adopted though.

[Stoakley]

Highlander,

First off...you and yours rock for contemplating adoption! However, I have some discouraging news for you.

My wife, a Korean national, and I (an American) had been planning on adopting for years and finally began our quest this past spring. After much internet searching and phone calls to Korean and international adoption agenices we have learned that we are NOT 'permitted' to adopt.

Eventhough we easily satiate every standard needed to gain the privelege we (an American husband and Korean wife) are unable to adopt a Korean child while under permanent residence in South Korea.

We contacted 3~4 agencies (including a staple -Holt) and all said the same thing.

If I were a Korean man and my wife were American we were lead to believe there would be no problem (maybe a similar issue as the F2 once was?).

We were then informed that it would not be a problem if we were living in America. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Anyhow, I asked if there was a law that restricted them from helping us and I wasn't really answered...we were just told that there was a problem with me not being the Korean spouse. One agency told me that they had permitted an American husband and Korean wife to adopt in Korea, but there were problems when the US gov't denied the adoption/child's entry into the US.

Once bitten twice shy I highly doubt.

We were advised to just adopt Stateside. Permanent residence for us is nowhere in the near future so we are looking into other avenues.

Good luck!

[Okibum]

We just got a new adopted Korean student in one of my classes. Both parents are American. It is possible. I can speak to the parents to find out which agency they went through. The process took 1.5 years to adopt the boy. For months the child was with them on the weekends to help him get used to the family.

[teachergirltoo]

I do volunteer work at one of the orphanages and asked the head lady about adoption a short while ago. She told me that unless the child is an infant under a program it is more difficult because most children in orphanages are not true orphans but are just placed there by their families. She said that what a person would have to do is meet with the relative or parent of the child they are interested in to sign over the child in court. Apparently sometimes finding the relative can be a challenge. I know it is possible though because another teacher and his wife that recently left were arranging for three of the children to go with them. Apparently their parents had been killed in an accident and another relative was willing to sign them over.

[bassexpander]

TT, any orphanages near the Dongdaemun area of Seoul? I heard there used to be one near Myongdong? My lady (Korean) and I are not looking to legally adopt, but we would like to (if possible) visit an orphanage and perhaps find a child with no parents that clicks with us, and wouldn't mind us dropping by to say hello and provide some things when he/she needs them. We'd like to focus on one child, so that child feels they have someone to turn to in life.

I had a co-worker who grew up in one of these facilities without any parents. She told me that she used to win awards at school for getting good grades, but was always so sad because she had no one to share her accomplishment with.

[Milwaukiedave]

I believe Stoakley is correct, if you are an international couple and want to adopt inside Korea, forget it. My wife has worked with Holt and they said it is not possible.

Okibum, I'd like to hear how the two foreigners were able to adopt a Korean child while in Korea. Sorry, but I'm very skeptical that is the case.

As to complaining about adopting, give the fact there are people who would like to adopt, why shouldn't we. The Korean Government purposely goes out of its way to make it impossible for international couples within Korea. If people can't see something wrong with that, then they clearly have the head screwed on wrong.

[bluelake]

My wife (Korean) and I had contemplated adoption before. Now, our own son is grown and adoption would be fine with me, but not only are we an international couple, but also age would prevent us. I understand there is a 45 y.o. cut-off for adopting parents and we are older than that. It's too bad governments don't make it easier.

[Okibum]

I work at an international school and there a quite a few people who have adopted children WHILE in Korea. Many of the children do have special needs but there are some that do not. I will post with more info once I ask one of the parents.

Many of my parents work for the embassies and the government, so there may be a special process for them. I don't know, I said I would ask.

[Stoakley]

[shaggy]

[highlander_76]

Thanks for all the good info thus far, please keep it coming.

BTW, I didn't say there's nothing to complain about, I just said plz start another thread if you want to go that direction.

[jaderedux2]

[Stoakley]

[winterwawa]

The following link may or may not help people on this thread, as it is for those living in America. The link is to the U.S. Department of State and it gives the general rules for adoption of Korean children and a list of agencies that deal in Korean adoption.

The two rules that struck me was 1) the couple must be married three years, and 2) Cannot be over 45 years of age.

Anyway, hope this is helpful.

http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_410.html